On September 24, the Caixa Popular headquarters were the scene of a highly anticipated event: "AI in SMEs".
Susana Lluna, a renowned expert in digital transformation and emerging technologies, was in charge of leading the presentation. From the very beginning, Lluna managed to capture the interest of the attendees by presenting a clear premise: “We are at a crucial moment in the digital transformation, and AI is no longer just a matter for large companies. SMEs must prepare to integrate this technology if they want to remain competitive.” However, he wanted to warn those present: “AI is a fad, I'm not going to lie to you. I'm not going to show you the tool, I'm going to talk to you about the ability.”
The room, which was full to capacity, reflected the general enthusiasm for a topic that, although it may seem technical, was broken down in an accessible and practical way by Lluna.
No, not all SMEs need AI
Throughout the talk, he discussed in detail the opportunities and challenges that AI presents for small businesses and the importance of knowing how to identify which ones are most suitable for them, if they exist.
“AI is not always needed. We need to be aware and know what tools exist and whether they can really help us.”.
Susana Luna
Among the highlights, there was talk about the technological evolution that the world of small and medium-sized businesses has faced and the importance of educating oneself on what an Artificial Intelligence tool really is, and what it is not, and how its services are offered.
Lluna also took time to talk about the barriers that SMEs face when trying to implement AI: the lack of technical resources, lack of knowledge about the technology and, above all, the fear of change. But far from being an insurmountable obstacle, the speaker offered practical solutions, suggesting that the key lies in continuous training and collaboration with technological partners.
One of the most revealing moments of the day was when Lluna addressed the relationship between AI and employability. In response to the concerns of some attendees about the possible reduction of jobs, his message was clear: “AI is not coming to replace humans, but to complement them. Companies must train their employees to take advantage of this technology and create new, more specialized roles with greater added value.”
The event closed with a round of questions, in which several concerns were raised.
In short, the event was a resounding success, not only because of the high turnout, but also because of the clarity with which Susana Lluna managed to explain a topic that, for many, may seem complex. AI is already here and, as was demonstrated, SMEs have a great opportunity to take advantage of it and adapt to the future.
